The first blood test for colorectal cancer could be approved this year.

The results of a clinical trial in the New England Journal of Medicine show the blood screening test detects 83% of people with colorectal cancer. If the FDA approves it, the blood test would be another screening tool used to detect the cancer at an early stage.

The test would not replace the colonoscopy, but it could boost the rate of screenings with a less invasive way to detect colon cancer.
It is recommended to begin regular screenings at the age of 45.